Boosting local food supply by optimizing the agriculture sector and empowering farmers and fisherfolk are key to achieving the country’s nutrition goals outlined in the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee said Saturday.
Upon arrival from his trip in Virac, Catanduanes where he was guest speaker of the 3rd Bicolano Young Leaders Congress, Lee said: “This 50th Nutrition Month, may we be reminded that the latest PPAN underscores food security as a tool to combat nutritional problems among Filipinos. This is connected to the Philippine Development Plan’s strategy to boost productivity and resiliency of the local agriculture and fisheries sector to ensure food security and proper nutrition.”
According to the Bicolano lawmaker, “Full support and protection of our farmers and fisherfolk, our food security soldiers, is a must to attain this goal.”
“Kaisa tayo sa hangarin na epektibong maipatupad ang PPAN. Kaya naman mahalaga na maiangat natin ang sektor ng agrikultura dahil kapag napataas natin ang supply ng pagkain, mapapababa natin ang presyo ng bilihin, at mabibigyan natin ng access ang mas maraming pamilyang Pilipino sa sustansiya na kailangan nila,” he said.
Lee alao reiterated his call, as principal author, for the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act”, which mandates the establishment of more Kadiwa centers nationwide as a way to make cheap food products accessible to more consumers.
Developed by the National Nutrition Council (NNC), PPAN serves as the framework to guide government, non-government organizations, academe, and the private sector in a coordinated effort to reduce all forms of malnutrition.
The latest action plan includes a strong emphasis on food security and obesity and recognition of the importance of improving nutrition behaviors.
“Malinaw naman po: Makakamit natin ang nutrisyong sapat kapag may pagkaing sapat para sa lahat. Bukod sa tiyak na trabaho at dagdag na kita, ang pagkain, nutrisyon at kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan ang prayoridad natin. Kapag malusog at walang pangamba sa pagkakasakit ang ating mamamayan, Winner Tayo Lahat,” the solon from Bicol stressed.
With this, Lee reiterated his call, as principal author, for the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act”, which mandates the establishment of more Kadiwa centers nationwide as a way to make cheap food products accessible to more consumers.
“If successfully rolled out in every city and municipality, these agri-food terminals will serve as a place where local farmers and fisherfolk can sell their produced goods directly to consumers and the general market,” Lee had previously said.
“Kapag naparami at ginawa nating permanente ang Kadiwa centers sa buong bansa, hindi lamang natin matutulungan ang hanapbuhay ng ating nga magsasaka at mangingisda, masisiguro din natin ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan na makabibili na nang mas mura at masustanyang pagkain sa kanilang komunidad,” he stressed.
A staunch health advocate, Lee also principally authored HB No. 2421 or the “Nutritional Information Disclosure Act” which would mandate food service establishments to clearly put on their menus the nutritional information including but not limited to:
• Total number of calories
• Total number of grams of carbohydrates
• Total number of grams of saturated fat
• Total number of grams of protein
• Total number of milligrams of sodium
This measure would enable consumers to be informed so they can make healthier food choices which can promote health awareness and proper dieting and assist consumers who are monitoring their diets or dealing with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
“Filipinos deserve accessible nutrition to help them live a healthier and better life, so we should demand better to implement mechanisms to achieve this. Mayaman man o mahirap, may karapatan sa sapat, abot-kaya at masustansyang pagkain,” he said.
“Sa isang patas at may hustisyang lipunan, dapat walang namamatay sa malnutrisyon at gutom o sa kawalan ng sapat na pagkain,” he added.
